We had such fun birthday party yesterday! Here’s a little song to set the stage!
It was Joe’s 60th and we invited all our oldest and dearest island friends and family — the kind where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came . . .
And while Joe was out back getting the garden ready, I was inside baking cakes! If you look close in this picture, you will see that I had help. I can’t take all the credit. (Hint: my help is fuzzy and there isn’t much of it showing here. He kept skirting away from the camera!)
I started by making Joe’s favorite Cheesecake, a recipe from my first book, Heart of the Home. He loves it because it’s plain and simple and melts creamily in his mouth. (I know because I watched him eat the last bit of it this morning for breakfast!)
I pressed a mixture of graham cracker crumbs and melted butter into this 9″ pie plate.
. . . Then I beat a package of softened cream cheese until it was light and fluffy.
To that I added a half cup of sugar . . . this recipe is SO easy . . . it’s the perfect cooking project, it makes you feel like you can really COOK!
. . . then a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice . . .
. . . and a half-teaspoonful of vanilla . . .
. . . then I added two large eggs, one at a time, beating after each . . .
And that’s IT! Voila! Poured it into the unbaked crust . . .
And into the oven it went for about a half hour. While that was baking, I went outside to see what Joe was up to . . .
. . . and how things are progressing; he’s planned a big surprise for his friends. Since the 1970’s, Joe has been taking photos at every party, event, or hang out; in the car, on boats, at weddings, at halloween parties, graduations, clam bakes, tag sales, dinner parties, christenings, you name it, he took a photo of it. He promised (some see it more as a threat) to do a slide show for YEARS, but it’s just never come together. He and his BFF Bob, who also has box loads of slides in his possession (some that one suspects could be quite incriminating) decided that the occasion of Joe’s 60th Birthday seemed like the perfect time to finally do it . . . so they worked on their slides; Joe MADE this “screen” out of boards and canvas which he then hoisted into the big maple tree out back. (That’s what’s going on in the picture above.)
These three, Joe, Bob, and John have been cooking Christmas Dinner at our house for the last twenty years! While Bob was gathering together his slideshow, John came early to help Joe get set up . . . these three are the true representation of what BFF looks like inside the man cave. ♥
They made a little theater, with an aisle and everything.
They hung the lights on the arbor that Joe had JUST finished rebuilding on Friday; paint dry? Yup! Up go the lights . . .
I could see they didn’t need me . . . I went back in to make the topping for the cheesecake.
When it came out of the oven I spread this mixture of sour cream, sugar, and vanilla over the top.
Then, I put it back in the oven for another ten minutes . . . and here it is, out of the oven to cool a bit, then into the refrigerator to chill.
While that was happening, I made a three layer Carrot Cake (also from Heart of the Home in case you’re looking for it!).
Here it is cooling . . . three layers of cinnamon and nutmeg spiced crushed pineapple, coconut, walnuts, shredded carrots, and golden raisins. AND, btw, this recipe makes fabulous carrot cupcakes!
And here’s the cake, all frosted and decorated . . .
New Music . . . for this part . . . (today’s generation has the electronics, but we had the music!) This was last night. I forgot to take photos of the food! I’m so sorry, because it was potluck and everyone brought just gorgeous things, fresh garden vegetables and salads, lobster sliders, potato salad, and Lowely made a huge moussaka; Joe and John barbecued swordfish and steak . . . then, after dinner, the theater filled up and the show began . . . a trip back to the 1970’s and 80’s! There were cat calls and teasing, oohing and aaahing, saying, “OMG, Remember that???” Or, “there’s so and so, whatever happened to him . . . ” And, “Who’s THAT?” Laughing, joking, crying, sighing, reliving; this group of people have known each other through thick and thin, they’ve traveled together, in more ways than one . . . they know each other’s moms and dads, sisters, brothers, and children . . .
So it wasn’t just friends, it was families too, which are also friends! All gathered for the memories, and the good times we’ve had, coming together on this little island, most of us from somewhere else, pulled here by the same sort of heart magnet that brought me . . . a long road that lead right here, to our house, last night.
What we lack in wisdom, we make up for in good will. ♥
Even when we get busy and see less of each other, that just makes times like these more wonderful, to sit in the candlelight and cricket noises and catch up on each others lives.
And here is the happy much-loved Birthday Boy . . . can you see the little string of hearts hanging in mid air just in front of Joe? I swear, they follow him wherever he goes! ♥♥♥♥♥ (Most of the time you can’t see them, but every once in a while, the camera catches them in just the right light . . . which is why I love this camera . . . night time shots may not be clear, but they are real.)
Blow honey!
May all his dreams come true!
And here we are, Martha, me, and Kappy cutting the cakes . . . I’m thinking, as I’m writing, this is what it’s all about . . . friends, family, food and fun — and all the good things we’ve shared.
I have to show you a card from last night — for Joe from Iris, the dog we love, that lives across the street with Martha and Gerry and comes over to visit almost every time she gets loose (might be because of the dog bones we keep in the pantry)! Here’s the front of the card:
Hope you had fun at the party! We won’t mention that picture of you skinny dipping in Tashmoo Pond!
OK, and here’s another promise I made a while back — remember when we went to the Emma Bridgewater Factory in England?
Where they had that design room where they gave you everything so you can paint your own Emma cups? Here are the ones we did, the way we turned them in, before they were fired . . . those pencil marks, we were told, would burn off.
And they did . . . here they are, after firing; they sent them home to us; they were here when we got back; we drink our tea in them every single morning now, he drinks out of his, I drink out of mine! I put the word “England” on mine so I would just look at it and remember.
With the date . . .
And here’s the cup Joe did; he wanted the ship. We love them even more now, and as time passes I’m sure they will become more and more valuable to us.
Maybe someday you will go to Emma Bridgewater and paint your own cup, but until then . . .
Maybe you would like to have an Emma Bridgewater Royal Jubilee cup just like this one, directly from England, for your very own? If you already have one, wouldn’t it make a nice gift for someone you love? If you agree, just leave me a comment and we’ll have Vanna (our random number generator) stay home from the tanning salon one day next week so she can draw a name and tell us who this cup belongs to! OK girls, believe it or not, the parties aren’t over yet. More cooking this week! Happy Monday everyone! XOXO P.S. Just in case, here’s the recipe for the Cheesecake!
CHEESECAKE
- 2 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs
- 3/4 c. melted butter
Combine and press into a buttered 9 in. pie plate, building up the sides. Set aside and make filling.
FILLING
- 1 – 8oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 c. granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
Beat softened cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually blend in sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Pour filling into crust. Bake at 325° for 25-30 min; til set. Make the topping.
TOPPING
- 1 1/2 c. sour cream
- 3 Tbsp. sugar
- 3/4 tsp. vanilla
Combine all ingredients; when cheesecake comes out of the oven, spoon topping over top of hot cheesecake, spreading evenly; return to oven and bake 10 min. longer. Cool; then chill several hours. Serves 8.
Susan, your descriptive post was a treat, as always! The tiny stove was the first thing that killed me ….. and then … those mugs! Amazing! So glad you had such a happy time celebrating. Old friends truly are the best kind! Thanks for allowing us to tag along.
Happy Birthday, Joe! What a wonderful gathering of friends to celebrate. Looks like such fun! Love those Emma mugs you made. I drink my tea out of one of her chicken mugs…it seems to make the tea taste better, don’t you think?! Thanks for sharing the party, Susan.
xoxo,
queenmum
Wow, Susan…..you pack so much into one blog post! If I could have a wish come true I would be one of your neighbors. We grew up with families of friends and friends of family…all one big caring group – the magic of love. You and Joe have that magic. It’s a special place some of us live in that takes a lifetime to build. Happy, happy birthday to Joe and many more to come.
Greetings to the birthday boy! Many returns of the day! Thanks for sharing the party. I was just looking at family slides this weekend from my childhood, as Mom always took slides because it was cheaper in the sixties to develop them. I was scanning them and emailing to my siblings and what fun to share memories.
Looking forward to more blogs of England! Oh and btw made your easy Cole slaw (from your Summer Book) for a BBQ last night and it was a hit! Cool and delicious!
Thanks and looking forward to my mug!
Susan
Seeing Joe with his dear friends reminds me of the good times my BFF and I have together. Carolyn and I are both 60 and have been friends since the 4th grade.
What a wonderful birthday night for you and Joe surrounded by such loving friends. The cakes look terrific, especially the carrot cakes. Wish I’d been there. My birthday was August 10, spent with two of my four children and three grandchildren. Next year, I’ll definitely try that cheesecake recipe. I have the book. Your tea mugs are fabulous, thanks for the chance to win one. What could be more magical than drinking my tea from an Emma cup and remembering that fabulous voyage to England and back. Again, thanks for taking me and the girlfriends along.
Did you get to eat the cheesecake and the carrot cake, Joe? What a blessing to you to have friends around and give them the gift of pictures. In Thailand the birthday girl or boy gives gifts to his friends instead of vice versa! I love it!
Susan and Joe,
You two sure know how to have a good time! I sang along through the whole song “Cheers Theme”. Thanks to you both for bringing such CHEER to our lives.
Sheila from South Carolina
WOWEE!!!…what a spectacular 60th Joe had…please tell him that 60 is wacky and wonderful…my hubby Dave and I have been in our 60’s…ahem…for a few years now…and life just gets better and better…and more exciting every day…so tell Joe not to fear being 60…60 is the new “40”…or so some people say…LOVELOVELOVE the little hearts that follow Joe around…Susan~I’m reading “Shadow of Night” by Deborah Harkness…the second book in her series…and the main character “sees” “things” around people…I won’t say anymore about that, but you will have to investigate the books!!!…I hope you and Joe are still basking in the candlelight of his birthday party…glad he had a little cheesecake left to have for breakfast!!!…there is a little “chill” in the air here in northern Michigan…have had the fireplace on for most of the day and flannel nightie too!!!…xoxo…
Ooooo, that sounds so nice Rae Ann!
Wonderful celebration, Susan! Happy belated birthday, Joe! My husband and I have been in the middle of relocating from Kentucky to Alabama this past week, and I could hardly stand being ‘off-line’ and unable to check in with you every day; it’s good to be catching up again! We’ve made this move primarily to be near our son and his family so we can gather together for just such memory-making occasions as the one you’ve shared. Our new, smaller house is beginning to come together, and much of our ‘stuff’ has no place to go, but there’s always room for an Emma mug! (Yours and Joe’s look so professional; good job …) Enjoy the remaining days of summer!
Happy moving Sharon!
Happy Birthday, Joe, from a fellow August ’52 baby. Thanks so much for sharing the party details, Susan. Your house and the arbor look beautiful!! This sweet, pretty spot on the internet makes our world a better place.
hi susan
please tell Joe “happy birthday” and may he have 60 more!!! (and of course with you right by his side). fantastic party with good friends, good food and good fun on a beautiful island night. thanks for the pics
You celebrate so well! Truly inspirational as we- my dear husband and I -share birthdays this very week! Wouldn’t an English mug of the day I got up early and watched TV in my robe till the queen shivered her way off the reviewing stand be a wonderful way to enjoy a cuppa?
Hope
Hi Susan,
As usual, I feel like I was there because you always share so much! I already bought the Jubilee mug – I’ve learned my lesson from waiting too long in the past! – buy my daughter would live it – I have infected her with a love of all things Royal.
Happy Birthday Joe,
XO,
Sue from Simi Valley
Please pass along my birthday greeting to your Joe. 60 is the new 40. 🙂
I believe this is actually true!
Oh how I would love to have that mug! My three kiddos, hubby and I have all been sick with a terrible stomach bug this last week and I just now to sip tea from this mug would have made it all better! 🙂
Thank you for including us at Joe’s birthday party! I really enjoyed the photos and thedetails. I love the mugs, too!
Hi There!
What a great party! I always love a good party, so thanks for giving us a peek at Joe’s! He sure looked happy! But who wouldn’t with cheesecake AND carrot cake?
The Emma mug is right up my alley….
Love reading about you guys, xo Kathy
Hi Susan, I’m glad Joe’s birthday went so well ~ the part about Iris from across the street cracked me up! pick me Vanna!
I agree! I agree! I think it would be lovely right along side of my other Emma.
Happy Birthday, Joe! What a wonderful celebration you had and what joy to have friends, family and Susan there to wish you love and happiness.
Susan, your cups are lovely and I hope Vanna picks my number. But whomever gets the cup will love it, I’m sure.
Your cheesecake recipe is one I have made for 50 years. Got the recipe from my mother-in-law and she called it Italian Cream Pie. We love it, especially with pureed raspberries or fresh peaches on top. How nice of you to share the recipe. It’s a keeper.
You are one blessed lady and to see you and Joe enjoying your friends so joyously is a true delight.
Keep on writing the diary. We are all waiting with much excitement.
Susan Havey from Spokane WA where is it still 90 at 9 PM.
Oh Susan!!
What a wonderful party!! Happiest Birthday wishes to Joe! *< :o) It looks like everything was perfectly amazing!! I must admit that I'm gonna have to make that cheesecake. My husband loves cheesecake with a sour cream topping! Everything I've made from one of your recipes has been a hit with my family. As a matter of fact, I made your Mom's Potato Chip Cookies (less the pecans 'cuz my boys won't eat them) about 2 weeks ago & took them camping complete with grape kool aid & they were awesome!! My husband looked at me & said "these are really good!!!", and I said "they're a Susan Branch recipe" & he said "I shoulda known!". 😀 Love the little floating hearts in Joe's "make a wish picture" & I am so happy that the two of you found each other. <3 Some might say it's a wish come true?! :o) Your Emma mugs turned out great. Wishing you both all kinds of happiness!! xo
It’s 12:45am here now and this post is making me very hungry. My mouth is actually watering. What a beautiful birthday party for Joe. Love that he has heart shaped orbs…that’s pretty special, but so is he. You have such a beautiful life together and the world is so blessed because of it. Loved how your mugs turned out…a very special keepsake of a very special trip. I thought about you as I walked one of our largest annual flea markets here on Friday. I managed to find a small Beatrix Potter mug for only $4.00 for my new grandchild that’s arriving in October. No figurines though..a little disappointing. Off to bed now to dream of cheese cake and carrot cake probably.
Really hard to find those figurines . . . they have copies, but they just aren’t the same as the real ones.
I am new to the world of Beatrix Potter figurines, so I am wondering what is the difference between the real ones and the copies? I wish I had bought some when my daughter was younger, but I didn’t…just the books and some plates.
It should say “F. Warne & Co.” on the bottom, and “Beswick,England” — Second best would be old Royal Doulton, but it’s really second best; I don’t think there’s a third best. If you like them, it’s fun to just collect slowly. Rescue them from places where they are not being loved, yard sales and flea markets.
The small BP mug I bought has Wedgwood of Etruria & Barlaston…copyright Frederick Warne & Co. on the bottom. Not sure where that fits in the picture, but at least the name is there and I love the mug. Thanks for the info…I’ll be on the lookout. I see some on Ebay, but I’m not sure if you would know who made them before you purchased them.
That’s the thing, if you love it, which is what I REALLY should have said from the beginning, that’s all that matters! When I buy things in an antique store or a flea market . . . if I love it I don’t really care where it comes from. I was only talking from a “collectors” standpoint . . . not from the heart. Sorry!
I would certainly love a chance to win an Emma Bridgewater cup…the tour of the factory was so interesting!
Happy Birthday Joe! Your party looked so fun! And the cakes looked so tasty! I may just have to try that cheesecake recipe. My hubby and daughter love cheesecake. My daughter, Esther, (age 15) is recovering from a broken femur and could use a little lovin’ in the manner of cheesecake! We may even have some for breakfast too!
That’ll make a nice memory out of a broken bone!
I just have to say I think it’s really neat that you use the recipes that you put in your books. (I know that sounds funny!) I’m using that cheesecake recipe….it doesn’t scare me so much.
I promise, not scary at all! 🙂
Wow what a night you have inspired me to get that camera out and take more pictures. What a gift to all!
Beautiful party…beautiful friends! Fun to be invited thru cyberspace! Looks like no detail was over looked. …Happy Birthday, Joe!!! Thanks for including us all. Summer nights…awwww.
A big Happy Birthday to Joe! Old friends are the BEST friends. Thanks for sharing the great birthday party with us. I turn the big 60 in April. I’d love to celebrate it with that beautiful cup. It brings back such found memories of the 3 years we lived in England in the early 70’s * *memories, like the corner of my mind…**
I just love your blog…like you haven’t heard that before! I have made your cheesecake recipe for years and it is perfect. I will try the carrot cake soon, it’s one of my favorite desserts. Joe’s party looked wonderful, I am at the age too where I have many friends from all over the USA and I also feel very blessed. I went to England on my honeymoon many many moons ago and would LOVE to win that cute little cup. I have one Emma cup and would love to have the jubilee cup as it’s mate. I hope Vanna picks me!!! Thank you so much for enriching my life with your incredible blog, writing and art.
What a grandiose life! Thanks for sharing!
Susan & Joe,
So, if the party was yesterday….Joe’s birthday was the 18th? If so, Happy Birthday Joe, and we share a birthday! My birthday was yesterday, the 18th.
We spent it at the local Bike and Car show here in Willows. I’m waschecking out this beautiful black and white 1956 Buick sedan, remembering that first car of my parents….a white 1956 Buick stationwagon (as my sister was 14 months old when my brother and I were born….twins!….”OMG” my Dad said, “I’m going to have to get another job!”. Well, anyway, they bought a 1956 buick stationwagon with the airplane on the front…….and I’m standing there thinking……wow, I was born in 1956…..and then I thought, WOW….I’m 56 today! I couldn’t stop thinking about how weird that was…..born in “56….and 56 years old. So my husband looks at me and states…”that’ll only happen once”. So endith the day… 🙂 He turns 60 the end of the month…..I’ll think of something really special for him…lol. Thank you for the cheese cake recipe again……yum!
Cheers,
Jan from Northern CA
Happy Birthday Jan . . . Joe’s was actually the 14th, but we’re close!
Oops, I thought when your blog said his bday was yesterday…and it was the 19th….his bday was the 18th. Anyway, it looked like he had a grand time!! We Leo’s always do, ya know…..lol
Jan, that makes this your Princess Year! You are a princess for one entire year when the year you were born equals the age you turn! a few years back (I was born in ’55) when we turned 55, all of my childhood girlfriends took a trip to Colorado to celebrate our Princess Year. While there, we went to a concert and all of us wore little crowns. it was such a fun trip – plus, since we had been friends since kindergarten (when we were 5) we were celebrating 50 years of friendship! THAT doesn’t happen very often! we all live in many states but we try to stay in touch and see each other as often as possible. Have a great Princess year, Jan!!! You are royalty 🙂
Barbara,
How wonderful! To be a princess this whole year!! And I’m a “Happily Ever After Girl” through and through….I just love Disney…..lol. When my husband and I got married in “1975…on Nov 22nd…..I unfortunatly came down with the mumps that morning…..yup, it wasn’t a good time…no one came near me at the receiption, only my dad and husband asked me to dance. (contagous as I was)… So, as I was pretty sad, my husband told me we’d do it again some day. And we did, on our 20th…and he surprised me as our renewal by marching into the church with his groomsman in Scottish kilts, bagpipes and all, and with a sword, professed his love and loyalty to me and I knighted him! I really was his “Princess”. It was the most romantic surprise ever! So, I’ll let him know that this year is my “Princess” year…..ya never know….he may come up with something even better this year?? lol Thanks again for letting me know my “Princess” status. I think it’s awsome!!
Cheers.
Jan from Northern CA
Bagpipes! Heaven!
We refer to it as your “Golden Birthday”! It’s special because, as your hubby says, “It only happens once”!
Happy Birthday Joe!
Your party reminds me of a party my roommate (and BFF) gave when we were in college. We rented an 8mm projector from the library and invited all our friends to watch W.C. Fields and Laurel & Hardy and Charlie Chaplin movies with everyone bringing potluck foods. We had a huge picnic dinner in the dead of winter in our cozy little living room. This was “back in the day” before VHS tapes and such. We had the best time….so much fun! Good memories are made of this.
Smiles, Randi
P.S. We are close in age!
Looks like everyone had a great time. Will be making the cheesecake for my sons birthday. It is his favorite.
Pleeeeeeeeze Vanna – pick me!
Oh, my! I would love to have an Emma Bridgewater Royal Jubilee cup, you betcha!
Wonderful post, Susan, I feel as if I’ve just been to the actual party and had a really, really good time. and the food was spectactular, especially that cheesecake!
Yum!!!!!
Joe and Susan,
Thank you so much for “inviting” me along, too. Your party was lovely……so much warmth and conviviality!
Enjoy your Birthday Week!
Cheers,
Cheryl
what a wonderful party!
What a wonderful birthday party, looks like everyone had a whale of a time!! 🙂 And the baking – I could almost taste the cakes from here. I’m going to have a go at those recipes even if we are supposed to be losing weight.
To be honest, I should put out a four alarm to tell you these are really not the thing to have around if you want to lose weight, take it from someone in the grip of cake right now! Make it, OK, eat a piece, and then RUN with it, out of your house, to the home of your skinny enemy!
What you really need to do if there’s cake left over, is slice it up and send a piece home with them, smiling, as you say, “No, really. We want you to have a memento of tonight’s party.” 🙂 And if there’s not enough to give everyone a piece, then the people who insist on hanging back to help you clean up are REQUIRED to take the rest of it with them.
We do have certain requirements, and this would be a good one. However, the cake monkey inside me would not allow me to make that offer.
Ah, I understand! I’ve made such hard-to-resist cakes, too….This last time, however, for some reason my cobbler did not turn out at all and I was able to THROW it AWAY with no compunction!
Saved by the bell! 🙂
I always wondered what that beast was called… He’s a persistent little creature! 🙂
And have you noticed he cackles?
Oh, you are so funny!!! When I bake, we “share the calories” with the bachelor who lives next door as he doesn’t bake and appreciates the treat and I take a plate to my elderly friend who is almost 90 and never bakes for herself but loves a treat with coffee! That way I get to still keep baking but at least somewhat control the calories! 🙂
Lovely party and lovelier post!
What a fun party!! Enjoy all the celebrations! Love, love, love your blog (and all your sweet books)…the mugs are perfect for memories of a trip of a lifetime. Must try the cheesecake – looks like one I could manage 🙂
What a party! I had such a great time. And you out did yourself on the carrot cake… hope you didn’t mind me sneaking an extra piece to take home 😉 OMG – the 70’s!! What were we thinking??! One more time – Happy 60th Joe!
Really, what were they thinking? (I cannot bring myself to put the blame on us! :-))
We were just innocent by-standers (wearing platform shoes and bell bottom pants!) YIKES!
What a lovely time you made for Joe. A migical night! Thanks for taking us along.
The cheesecake and carrot cake looked like the BOMB!! If I lived with you dear Suzy, I would be very, very round indeed. How on earth do you keep your girlish figure??
I am totally intriqued by the string of hearts…wow…how on earth did that happen?? Good love karma I guess!
Happy Birthday Joe!!
Happy August All!
love you,
Sweetpea
Where to Begin…Of course with “JOE” WOW! JOE, you really gave yourself the best party ever with every detail. This will be a party no one will ever forget.
Next, the little stove. I have wanted one for some time now, guess because I never had one as child. It is just so “CUTE”
We have treats on the week-end. Weight Watches & Dr.OZ says to do this and it really works, NO GUILT! So freeze the cake and enjoy it on week-ends with tea in your mugs. The BEST souvenir you brought from England. I am going to make the cheese cake for our week-end treat. YUM!! Thank you for sharing.
Happy Birthday Joe. Thanks, Susan, for the cyber invite to the party. So much fun!
Happy birthday to Joe. As we Polish say, “Sto Lat” (may you live 100 years)!
Hope your birthday was the best Joe! You guys really know how to celebrate…..beautifully.
– 🙂
Happy Birthday Joe!! I hope Petey made it to the festivities. All the best for the next 60 young years! Enjoy.
Petey was in my art studio, next to his favorite “God Save the Queen” pillow!
Happy Birthday, Joe! My birthday is the 18th, also, but I’m a year older, so I can tell you with experience, that 60’s not so bad. Loved the pix of the party. It looked absolutely magical.
Susan, I love the little stove on your table – I have a much smaller one and I’m definitely going to dig it out of the attic and find a little spot to display it. Would love to win the mug – (Vanna, are you listening?)
Happy Birthday to you Barb!
Joe, what a celebration! Everyone has the most beautiful smile – a fun time for all, including all the readers 😉
Thank you for including us all at your party! The “storybook people” artist, Brian Andreas says it all, “There are things you do because they feel right & they may make no sense & they may make no money & it may be the real reason we are here: to love each other & to eat each other’s cooking & say it was good.” He must have been thinking of you, Joe, and your friends!
I think that’s true!
Happy Birthday Joe! Hi Susan..what a fun husband and “family” of friends you have…of course you already know that! Thanks for sharing them with us! The yummy cheesecake looks scrumptious! The carrot cake reminds me of the time my BFF Debbie wanted to make one for her hubby and we did all the grating and vast ingredient list, baked it, put it upside down on a Pepsi bottle to cool..next thing you know…PLOP…the whole cake had released itself and slid right down onto the counter!! We laughed till we cried…it didn’t break, so we iced the the sucker and he didn’t know the difference…lol enjoying cooler weather…going to breakfast with another BFF…you can have several, then off to shop for my anniversary outfit,renewing our vows for our 40th, under a Blue Moon (our actual anniversary is Sept. 1st)…such fun…..cute little shop with girly stuff called 58 South in Nashville (Indiana), if you ever get a chance to stroll through our village!
Have fun Mary, and hello to your BFF!
I just love reading your blog-it is so much fun enjoying your life with you and appreciating that you share with all of us girlfriends. Thanks Susan!
Happy birthday Joe! Happy life Joe and Sue! Thanks ever so much for being a friend.
I love reading your blog! Happy belated birthday Joe!
Birthday wishes to Joe! What a perfectly fun birthday party! I loved the slide show (and the potluck especially the yummy desserts)! The finished Emma Bridgewater mugs are treasures. Wish Emma Bridgewater had a Susan Branch line of mugs and teapots. I would love to win the Jubilee mug. Oh Iris picked the perfect card! She is such a cutie.
Susan, thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful evening with us, I would LOVE to be your neighbor…You bring such joy to everyday events, like sitting with friends, on a warm summer evening…sharing food, memories and love…reminds me of days of my childhood.
I would love for vanna to pick me, then I could share tea with you (in my thoughts)
in my very own mug you brought home
….PICK ME!!!
thanks you again for sharing your life with all of us!
Judy
Happy Birthday Joe!
I love Emma Bridgewater and as I’m in the UK you wouldn’t have to send it far!!!
It’s here in my house on Martha’s Vineyard . . . this would be one very well-traveled cup!
The party waas indeed a perfect example of a Labor of Love- for an extremely worthy celebrant! I hope that everyone will remember the happiness and joy that was reflected in your face and Joe’s-“the way you looked tonight”.
You brighten everyday with your celebration of life, reminding us all to go out and smell the roses. Know that it makes a difference in a lot of lives, and please go on living out your dreams and desires. Marty
P.S. If I were fortunate enough to win the mug, would it be sacrilege to drink my morning coffee from it?
No, I believe in the theory “use it or lose it!” 🙂
Happy Birthday ,belatedly,to Joe.
Cheesecake is my favourite too !
May Joe have many, many wonderful celebrations like this one. Thanks for inviting us!
Happy Birthday, Joe! Thanks for sharing your wonderful party and for reminding all of us that the best times are those spent with family and friends.
What a fun party you had for Joe and what a treasure with all of your loved ones there! Happy Birthday to Joe! Have a wonderful week!
Carla
thanks for the great party,Joe! it was fun seeing all you did. i’m trying to print the cheesecake recipe! sounds wonderful, & easy. I’d love to find you Heart of the home book. is it out of print? i have most of your books, but not that one.
Yes, Susan, I would love a cup from a china factory in England, because my English dishes are so special to me. I have been so sorry that so many of the old factories closed, and was so excited that you shared your tour of this one which is actually still there! Thank you for that!
Rebecca
Happy Birthday Joe! It looks as though your party was lots of fun! A wonderful way to start another wonderful year! Many more…
Wow – how very loved you both are by so many. It took me at least five minutes to scroll down to leave a comment! You are the very, very best — I wish we could all somehow come together and have a HUGE party somewhere. Talk about GRACE in the room! I wish you would make that Einstein saying into a bookmark! It’s just my favorite! Best wishes to your Joe! He’s one lucky man.
Happy Birthday Joe! We almost share a birthday! Love your doggie neighbor that gave you the cute card. I have made the carrot cake and the cheese cake and they are yummy. Lucky you. We all enjoyed the party and the sweet photo of you holding the birthday cake. Susan, you take such expressive pictures and give us all so much. I bet Jack had a taste of that carrot cake!
xoxo Pam
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to JOE!
Loved the party! Thank you for including us and for sharing the yummy recipes!
And thank you for giving us a chance towards winning a cup of our very own from the Jubilee!
Can’t wait til we have THE DIARY!
Wonderful way to celebrate Joe and to cap off the summer -those hearts are so special!! Would Joe come and do all the boxes and boxes of slides we have out in the shed?
What a fabulous party! I’m envious of your circle of longtime, couple/family friends.
(And tell Vanna to pick me!)
Good morning, Susan and Joe! I just love your blog! And I would love to have an Emma mug all my own! Have a great Monday!
Janie Campbell
[email protected]
Thank you so much for including us in your lives. The night looked absolutely wonderful. I could feel the love and closeness coming out from your gathering. Happy Birthday Joe. Thank you so much for sharing!
Love the mugs…..(faces and pottery)! Thank you for being such a wonderful light to us all!
I’ve loved following you and Joe thru England, absolutely beautiful- a truly wonderful trip. Blessing to you and yours!
What a great evening to celebrate Joe’s Birthday! There is nothing better than having a wonderful time with friends that are so special to us. That mug would be wonderful to have. Something special to remember our voyage with you and Joe, the queen’s jubillee, and the London 2012 olympics.
I turn 60 in October. I want this mug, I need this mug, I deserve this mug! 🙂
Oh what a wonderful time we had! Thank you for inviting us !!
Norma from Wylie Texas
Dear Susan,
Cheesecake, my daughter and Joe share the same month for their birthday (hers is the 22nd) and the same love of cheesecake. I believe this Wednesday we will be having your cheesecake for her celebration plus she also requested a Boston cream pie plus I will make the standard chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting. We will be stretching the celebration out in order to get all of the grandparents to visit. Your party in the yard looked fabulous.
Happy Birthday, Joe! What an extraordinary birthday! Thank you, Susan for sharing it with us!
Happy Birthday to Joe! It looks like you had a fabulous party! What fun. The food all sounds yummy, and the cakes, so pretty. You could tell by the pictures everyone was having a good time..
Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us. Your mugs turned out great! What a nice way to start your day, remembering your glorious trip.
Your blog always gives me extra energy and ideas for the day!
Happy Birthday Joe!
Happy Birthday Joe! It looked fabulous. Thanks for letting us share it with you! I also love that cheesecake…especially for breakfast the next day! 🙂
Happy Birthday to Joe!!
I have wanted a Emma cup for along time. It would be
extra special if I could win the one you
are giving away.
Have a blessed day.
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOE! Thanks for sharing the sweet moments of your life, Susan – they always serve to give me warm fuzzies and to inspire me to create more of my own! That should give you a warm fuzzy, too, knowing that sharing your life is enriching the life of others… And seeing your EB mug makes me want to fly right over and do one, too!
Happy birthday, Joe. Looks like you had a wonderful birthday party. Hope you have MANY more!
Enjoyed todays blog – and look forward to all those that lie ahead.
Thanks for the opportunity to win the cup – pick me, pick me!
What a fun party. Loved your share…Balisha
What a wonderful party. Happy Birthday Joe! Have many more.
Just a little note to Thank You for inviting us along to Joe’s 60th Birthday Party. We had a great time visiting with everyone, and the food looked Great! How nice of you to include us in one of the “partying” gifts!
Happy Birthday to Joe.
Getting together with friends is always a treat.
I am excited to be getting together with a group of my friends soons. I am the newest member of the group, I moved to Templeton in the beginning of fifth grade. Everyone else started kindergarten together.
I always enjoy your adventures, and marvel at how you get everything you do done!
PS…I still miss your store in AG
We call the late comers (like me) “wash ashores.” How wonderful to have such old friends!
What a wonderful party!! Thanks for sharing it with us. And to Joe, may your 60s be Smashing (or would that be Brilliant!)
I have a collection of Emma cups, some bought here and some in England, so your trip to her factory was very interesting, had no idea you could make your own and they are lovely remembrances of your trip.
It took about four hours for us to do it, but it was worth it! Otherwise we would have made a lot more of them!
What a great idea for the outdoor slide show – especially using the two projectors! Thanks for the pictures and recipes. I’d have written sooner, but had to run out and get the ingredients for that cheesecake — so much simpler than my usual “New York Style” cheesecake that I only make on special occasions. This one sounds like it will be made a lot more often! (^_^)
Joe was really happy with the two projectors too, mentioned it this morning!
Hi Susan, and Vana,
Just tryin to get on Vana’s good side. Great pictures and I will be having that cheesecake soon. What a nice party you had thanks for sharing.
Nancy Jo
What a BEAUTIFUL party full of the best kind of love and warm memories. Great job baking, too! (too funny about Vanna staying home from the tanning salon to draw a winner). Have a great week!
:-)!
oh honey….. Delightful!!! When I got to the picture of Joe and his Birthday Cake
and candles…. it made me say,”oH” out loud and get all teary eyed happy ….he looks so so happy….like that six-year-old-little-boy happy! And then those hearts!!! Oh Susan! It all looks so Fun and Wonderful!! It just feels so good to
see HaPpY! Sending warm wishes and thoughts of HaPpY to you dear Susan!!!
Love it! Love it! Love it! 🙂
Thank you Dawn . . . Joe is still on Cloud 9. That was his favorite kind of party. El oh Vee Eeee.
Happy Birthday Joe! Looks like you had a great party. I too, love that little stove, it is adorable! I must tell you Susan, the cheesecake recipe is the one my Mom made for years. I didn’t know anyone else had that recipe. I think it is the best cheesecake recipe around. (I don’t have your first book, unfortunately.) Thanks for another great post! Kisses to the Kitties! XXOO
I agree Julie, I never tasted a better one.
So many wonderful things to say about this post, Susan….thanks for sharing such a lovely evening! I love the slideshow idea….what a great treat for everyone, and a fantastic way to remember good times. I’ve been using your “girlfriends” photo book to gather pictures of my friends (I need to order another book!)….now I think I need to start sorting even more groups of photos!
Happy Birthday, Joe! Thanks for sharing, Susan. It looked like sooo much fun, makes me want to have a party (but everyone we know lives far, far away :0(
The cakes looked wonderful, too!
Ohh, that’s so sad, that you are far from friends and family … that’s hard! Well, you have us!
What a beautiful web page today, Susan. This one really shows how wonderful life can be with family & friends…the most important thing in the world! Congrats to Joe & for your lovely insight into your sweet lives. Wish we could live there too!!!
XOXO!
Once again you brightened my day with your post. Loved the happiness in everyone’s eyes and of course all of the details. I really think Joe is extremely handsome without the facial hair. vavavoom Ethel and I are having lunch today to celebrate the end of summer. School starts tomorrow so back to the classroom we go. Thanks for the ray of sunshine in my last day of freedom. Lucy